LaGrange in quarterfinals for first time since 1999

The LaGrange Gators have run their way to New Orleans and will be hoping to continue once they arrive tonight.

LaGrange is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1999. A win over Holy Cross tonight would put the Gators in the
semifinals for the first time since 1994.

The Gators (9-3) will play Holy Cross at 7 p.m. in Tad Gormley Stadium. The Gators earned the spot with a 41-20 win at St.
Martinville last week. LaGrange ran for 414 yards in the game.

“We went into the game feeling that we could run the ball,” said Gators head coach Jules Sullen. “The kids did a great job
and the two running backs (Robert Leday ran for 187 yards and Tyler Guillory ran for 168) had phenomenal games. If we can
continue, the sky is the limit.”

The Tigers (9-2) will present a big obstacle. They advanced with a 42-7 win at DeRidder last week, running for 197 yards and
throwing for 146.

“They are very good and fundamentally sound,” Sullen said of the Tigers. “They are very explosive on offense. They spread
you out, and when you think it is pass, they run, and vice versa. The number one thing for us is going to be lining up to
their formation, then making an effort to take away the pass and the run.

“Defensively, they are pretty solid. They run a 4-3. We have seen this defense before. They have good interior linemen and
a good linebacker. We have to be sure to account for the linebacker, he is always around the ball. When we throw, the line
is going to have to give us time to go through all of the progressions.”

Sullen said the Gators will have a shot if they can maintain their current level of play.

“The kids are excited for this opportunity,” he said. “We have practiced at McNeese to get used to the artificial surface.
If we can continue to be as consistent as we have been the first two weeks, it will be a great game.”